Print Report

A4040 Muhlenbergia reverchonii Grassland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of grasslands of limestone slopes and associated seeps of the Edwards Plateau and central Oklahoma where Muhlenbergia reverchonii is dominant or codominant.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Seep Muhly Grassland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Seep Muhly Grassland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of grasslands of limestone slopes and associated seeps of the Edwards Plateau and the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma. This type is characterized by Muhlenbergia reverchonii, vernally moist to wet from seepage flow; examples often co-occur with clumps of Juniperus virginiana and Juniperus ashei. Other typical species include Stenaria nigricans and Dodecatheon meadia. In Texas, this alliance occurs in a matrix of Juniperus ashei and Quercus fusiformis woodlands. Dominant species include Muhlenbergia reverchonii and Bouteloua hirsuta var. pectinata. Other species present include Andropogon glomeratus, Eupatorium serotinum, Heliotropium tenellum, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Dodecatheon meadia.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by sites wet in the spring or from seepage and dominated by Muhlenbergia reverchonii.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is dominated by mid grasses. Sites are often with clumps of short trees and may be partially shaded by them.

Floristics: This type is characterized by Muhlenbergia reverchonii, vernally moist to wet from seepage flow; examples often co-occur with clumps of Juniperus virginiana and Juniperus ashei. Other typical species include Stenaria nigricans (= Hedyotis nigricans) and Dodecatheon meadia. In Texas, this alliance occurs in a matrix of Juniperus ashei and Quercus fusiformis woodlands. Dominant species include Muhlenbergia reverchonii and Bouteloua hirsuta var. pectinata (= Bouteloua pectinata). Other species present include Schizachyrium scoparium and Dodecatheon meadia.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This alliance consists of grasslands of limestone slopes and associated seeps of the Edwards Plateau and central Oklahoma, and small-patch occurrences (mostly less than 1 acre in size) in the Fort Worth Prairie and Western Crosstimbers regions of Texas and to a lesser extent the Whiterock Cuesta of the Blackland Prairie region of Texas. Stands occur on tight clay soils that are wet in spring.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Edwards Plateau of Texas and the Arbuckle Mountains of Oklahoma.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  OK, TX


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nb Central North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D023 2.B.2.Nb
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nb.2 Needle-and-Thread - Western Wheatgrass - Plains Rough Fescue Grassland Macrogroup M051 2.B.2.Nb.2
Group 2.B.2.Nb.2.a Little Bluestem - Sideoats Grama - Western Wheatgrass Mixedgrass Prairie Group G133 2.B.2.Nb.2.a
Alliance A4040 Seep Muhly Grassland Alliance A4040 2.B.2.Nb.2.a
Association CEGL004219 Seep Muhly - Sideoats Grama - Velvet Bundleflower Grassland CEGL004219 2.B.2.Nb.2.a
Association CEGL004520 Seep Muhly - Tall Grama - Little-tooth Sedge Grassland CEGL004520 2.B.2.Nb.2.a
Association CEGL004785 Seep Muhly - Prairie-tea Grassland CEGL004785 2.B.2.Nb.2.a
Concept Lineage: This alliance consists of three associations from old A.1218.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Muhlenbergia reverchonii herbaceous alliance (Hoagland 1998a)
Concept Author(s): J. Drake, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: J. Drake and Bruce Hoagland

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by B. Hoagland.

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • Dale, E. E. 1959. The grasslands of Platt National Park, Oklahoma. The Southwestern Naturalist 4:45-60.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • Hoagland, B. W. 1998a. Classification of Oklahoma vegetation types. Working draft. University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, Norman. 43 pp.